Packet for holding substantially elongated articles such as cigarettes

ABSTRACT

This invention relates generally to a packet for holding substantially elongated articles such as cigarettes and the like. This invention can be used for secure packing of cigarettes, candy and the like products. It provides a click lock feature of the double layered folding lid. It is achieved through creating integrated notches from the folding lid, which locks with the slots created on the outer container with a click, delivering a secure closing and opening experience.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a packaging system. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a packet for holdingsubstantially elongated articles such as cigarettes and the like. Thisinvention can be used for secure packing of cigarettes and the likeproducts.

BACKGROUND AND THE PRIOR ART

Cigarettes are traditionally packed and sold in flip top packs. In theseflip top packs, to access the cigarettes, the lid has to be held inopened condition. Consumer's on-the-go many a times find it cumbersometo engage both hands for holding it in opened condition for accessingthe cigarettes.

A shell and slide type pack structure wherein an inner container canmove with respect to the outer container is well known.

Some of the prior arts in the present field of invention are as follows:

EP2325093B1 provides a package for tobacco-related articles comprises anouter shell, a lid which is adapted to close the top side of the outershell and can be swivelled about a hinge line, and an inner shell. Theinner shell accommodates a plurality of tobacco-related articles and canbe shifted in the outer shell from a retracted position, in which it ishoused inside the outer shell, to an advanced position, which enablesaccess to the tobacco-related articles. A cutout in the outer shellexposes part of the inner shell and enables exerting a force onto theinner shell for moving the inner shell. A hinged connector pushes thelid into its opened state when the inner shell is moved into itsadvanced position and pulls the lid into its closed state when the innershell is moved into its retracted position.

EP2243722A1 provides cigarette package according to the presentinvention has a thin outer case and an inner tray inserted into theouter case in a manner allowing the inner tray to be pulled out, theinner tray having a head functioning as a grip to pull the inner trayout from the outer case and a plurality of grooves holding filter-tippedcigarettes along the direction that the inner tray is pulled out.

EP'722 provides a package that comprises a thin parallelepiped outercase and a rectangular shaped inner tray with product holdingseats/grooves on its surface. However, in the invention the inner bodyis a substantially closed container with opening only at the top forproduct dispensing. The cross-section of the inner and outer containeris not limited by a rectangular shape as claimed in the prior art. Theother point of differentiation being the wave shaped preformed liddescribed in the prior art. The double layered folding lid as disclosedin the invention is not preformed and it can assume a lid withsubstantially rectangular cross-section when the pack is closed and aflat tab for pulling out the internal container when the lid is opened.Further, it doesn't need to have a wave shaped profile as claimed in theprior art.

WO2010014489A1 relates to modifications for cigarette packs. One suchmodification includes adding a lift function to lift the product out ofthe package as the lid opened. Another such modification is creating aone-movement opening design that as a sleeve is slipped down the lid ispulled back to reveal the product. Another such modification includes atop that slides to one side or another instead of using the traditionalflip-top. Finally a unique closing mechanism has been added that allowsthe cigarettes to be held closed either using an eco-click design orstrategic placement of magnets.

WO'489 provides the double layered folding lid that can assume asubstantially rectangular cross-section when the pack is closed and aflat tab for pulling out the internal container when the lid is opened.However, the lid as described in the prior art does not have any suchfeature. Further, the lid as described in the prior art is having a Vshaped lip which corresponds to lip on the sleeve, however there is nosuch mandate for the lid as described in the invention. The other keypoint of differentiation is the feature of secure lid closing andopening with a click as disclosed in the invention is not there in theprior art claims. This feature is achieved through creating integratednotches from the folding lid and corresponding slots on the outercontainer.

WO2009148036A1 provides a package comprises an inner case including abox body having an upper open end, and a lid connected to one side edgeof the open end rotatably through a lid hinge, for opening and closingthe open end, and an outer slider fitted slidably over the outercircumference of the inner case and having, at the upper edge of asidewall on the side corresponding to the lid hinge, a contact flapextending toward the inside of the outer slider, wherein the inner caseincludes a strip which is linked, at the upper end thereof, with the lidand has at the lower end a folded flap that is engageable with thecontact flap of the outer slider, and, when the outer slider is sliddownward with respect to the inner case, the folded flap engages withthe contact flap; to impart an opening action to the lid.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,468B1 provides cuboid pack for smoking articles is ashell and slide structure. The slide has a lid hinged on one minor side.Upon movement of the slide to an exposed position, hooks on the shelland slide inter engage to pull open the lid via a tongue which is formedin part of an outer layer of a double layer side seam of the slide.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,117A provides a package for cigarettes or otherarticles comprised of a receptacle for housing the cigarettes or otherarticles and defining an open top for removal of said articles and anintegral slide actuated lid structure including a closure memberoperatively connected to the receptacle and a slide member portionreciprocally movable vertically of the receptacle to open and close thepackage the slide portion including folding panels positioned betweenthe receptacle and the slide portion permitting reciprocal movement ofthe slide portion.

US2006070896 provides a cigarette pack with a shell and slide, the rangeof movement of the slide within the shell is limited, in particular bystops formed, on the one hand, on a stop tab and, on the other hand, bya recess in the shell. The stops help to define a closed position of theslide and an open position.

U.S. '896 claims a shell and slide kind of packaging wherein the shellis opened at both ends and the slide forms a open tray for accepting thecigarettes whereas in the disclosed invention the inner body and theouter body are substantially closed containers with opening only at thetop for product dispensing and lid closing. The double layered foldinglid disclosed in the invention, which can assume a substantiallyrectangular cross-section when the pack is closed and a flat tab forpulling out the internal container when the lid is opened, is novel anddifferentiated from the prior art. Further, the feature of secure lidclosing and opening with a click as disclosed in the invention is notthere in the prior art claims.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,073 (B1) provides a storage container havingintegrally formed inner and outer members is disclosed. The outer memberincludes opposing top and bottom walls, opposing side walls, a back walland a front opening. The inner member includes a bottom panel, opposingside panel, a front panel and a fan extension portion. The inner memberis slidably movable between a retracted position within the outer memberand an extended position where the inner member extends from the frontopening of the outer member.

U.S. '073 provide the package that comprises of an outer member and atray like inner member with a fan extension portion. However, in thedisclosed invention the inner body is a substantially closed containerwith opening only at the top for product dispensing. There is noseparate lid as such described in the prior art. The front wall of theinner member is used for pulling out the inner member. Thus, the doublelayered folding lid with a click closure mechanism disclosed in theinvention, is completely differentiated in its formation andfunctionality from the prior art. The mechanism of restriction ofmovement for the inner member is achieved through a foldable connectionin the prior art; however in the disclosed invention the movementrestriction is achieved trough a more efficient and cost effectivemethod of engagement of opposing folded flaps.

WO2008054305 (A1) provides a controlled easy access package assembly forchild resistant storage of products. The package assembly is suitablefor storing cigarettes and other products which you want to protect fromchildren gaining access to and/or which you want to protect from easilyfalling out of the package. The package assembly of the inventioncomprises a sleeve and an insert adapted to be inserted into and pulledout of said sleeve. The sleeve is provided with at least one first stoppanel formed as an extension of one of said walls and folded into thesleeve, which first stop panel comprises a stop edge. The insert isprovided with at least one locking flap comprising a locking edge. Thelocking edge of the locking flap is adapted to be in contact with thestop edge of the first stop panel when the insert is inserted in thesleeve, whereby the insert is hindered from being pulled or pushed outof the sleeve. The invention further relates to a blank for forming saidinsert.

WO'305 provide a method of restriction and release for movement of theinternal container through interaction of folded locking tabs on theinternal container and locking flap and release flap on the outercontainer. However, no such complex restrictions are built into thedisclosed invention and neither intended to. This makes the disclosedinvention distinctly different from the prior art in construction andfunctionality. The feature of secure lid closing and opening with aclick as disclosed in the invention is not there in the prior art.

Due to the associated disadvantages with the above cited prior arts,there is required a locking mechanism as well as simple articulation ofdifferent containers.

The present invention therefore provides a packet for holdingsubstantially elongated articles such as cigarettes and the like. Itprovides a click lock feature of the double layered folding lid. It isachieved through creating integrated notches from the folding lid, whichlock within the slots created on the outer container with a click,delivering a secure closing and opening experience. Other key benefit ofthe pack is availability of large uninterrupted surface for brandcommunication on outside and inside of the pack (when the innercontainer is taken out for product dispensing).

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

A basic object of the present invention is to overcome thedisadvantages/drawbacks of the known art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a packet forholding substantially elongated articles such as cigarettes and thelike.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inner containermeans formed by folding a laminar sheet defining a box with its top sidehaving an opening spreading between the top and front panel of the innercontainer to provide access to said articles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrier meansdefining a plurality of panels whereby one of said panels folded to forma double layered closure means, said closure means hinged around aplurality of crease lines so as to form a folding lid means and saidcrease lines having a pair of cuts thereon so as to form a plurality ofprotrusions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outer containermeans defining a plurality of panels, said outer container is a box withits top side open to provide access to said inner container articulablysecured therein and one of said panels glued back to back therebycreating a substantially ‘V’ notch and providing a plurality of slotsadapted to interlock said protrusions with said slots thus facilitatinglid locking.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simplelocking mechanism and articulation of inner and outer containers suchthat the inner container can move with respect to the outer container ina specified direction and travel a specified length.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become readilyapparent from the following detailed description read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is notintended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to presentsome concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to amore detailed description of the invention presented later.

There is provided a packet for holding substantially elongated articlessuch as cigarettes and the like.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is providedpacket for holding substantially elongated articles such as cigarettesand the like, said packet comprising an inner container means formed byfolding a laminar sheet defining a box with its top side having anopening spreading between the top, front and back panel of the innercontainer to provide access to said articles; a carrier means defining aplurality of panels whereby one of said panels folded to form a doublelayered closure means, said closure means hinged around a plurality ofcrease lines so as to form a folding lid means and said crease lineshaving a pair of cuts thereon so as to form a plurality of protrusions;an outer container means defining a plurality of panels, said outercontainer is a box with its top side open to provide access to saidinner container articulately secured therein and one of said panelsglued back to back thereby creating a substantially ‘V’ notch andproviding a plurality of slots adapted to interlock said protrusionswith said slots thus facilitating lid locking; wherein said carriermeans attached to said inner container and together articulable withrespect to said outer container through a pre-defined distance keepingsaid carrier means there between; wherein said reverse folded flap ofsaid carrier means interlocks itself with inwardly folded flap of theouter carton defining a stopper means thus restricting outward movementof the inner box to the pre-defined distance.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular examples forenabling methods of the present invention, are descriptive of some ofthe methods, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended foruse in conjunction with the explanations in the following detaileddescription.

Reference is first invited to FIG. 1 where the flat drawing of theinternal container is illustrated.

FIG. 2 illustrates the formed internal container.

FIG. 3 illustrates the flat drawing of the carrier for internalcontainer with integrated folding lid.

FIG. 4 illustrates the formed carrier of internal container withintegrated folding lid.

FIG. 5 illustrates the flat drawing of the outer container.

FIG. 6 illustrates the formed outer container.

FIG. 7 illustrates the Pack in closed condition.

FIG. 8 illustrates the Pack with unfolded lid.

FIG. 9 illustrates the Pack in open condition.

The invented system is thus packet for holding substantially elongatedarticles such as cigarettes and the like.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figuresare illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawnto scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in thefigure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improveunderstanding of various exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the embodiments described hereincan be made without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of theinvention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not forthe purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic,parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations orvariations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error,measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those ofskill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effectthe characteristic was intended to provide.

Accordingly the present invention provides a packet for holdingsubstantially elongated articles such as cigarettes and the like. Thepacket comprises an inner container means formed by folding a laminarsheet defining a box with its top side having an opening spreadingbetween the top and front panel of the inner container to provide accessto said articles. It further comprises a carrier means defining aplurality of panels whereby one of said panels folded to form a doublelayered closure means, said closure means hinged around a plurality ofcrease lines so as to form a folding lid means and said crease lineshaving a pair of cuts thereon so as to form a plurality of protrusions.

There is provided an outer container means defining a plurality ofpanels, said outer container is a box with its top side open to provideaccess to said inner container articulably secured therein and one ofsaid panels glued back to back thereby creating a substantially ‘V’notch and providing a plurality of slots adapted to interlock saidprotrusions with said slots thus facilitating lid locking.

The carrier means attached to said inner container and togetherarticulable with respect to said outer container through a pre-defineddistance keeping said carrier means there between. Also, the reversefolded flap of said carrier means interlocks itself with inwardly foldedflap of the outer carton defining a stopper means thus restrictingoutward movement of the inner box to the pre-defined distance.

The inner container means, said carrier means and said outer containermeans made from substantially folded laminar blanks selected frommetalized paper, foil, paperboard, plastics, metals and the like.

The outer and inner container is having substantially cuboidalcross-sections with the edge/corner profiles such as rounded, bevelledand the like. Further, the lid means accessible through the ‘V’ notch.The double layered folding lid integrated with the inner box and adaptedto snugly fit in with a click within the top opening of the outercontainer.

The present invention therefore provides a technologically superiormethod of accessing the cigarettes through articulation of the inner boxand snug capping for secure closing of cigarettes.

The invention comprises of an inner box with integrated folding lid,wherein cigarettes are packed and an outer box with opening only at thetop. The arrangement of the two boxes are such that inner box can bearticulated with respect to the outer box through a specific distance. Adouble layered folding lid is integrated with the inner box which snuglyfits in with a click within the top opening of the outer box. To accessthe cigarettes, the consumer has to open up the folding lid throughright angle which flattens the lid and use the flattened lid to pull upthe inner box which exposes the cigarettes through the access opening onthe inner box. The outward movement of the inner box is restricted witha stopper arrangement which exposes just the cigarette access opening ofthe inner box. To close, the inner box has to be articulated in reverseand lid folded back within the slot with a click.

This novel structure can be applied to any shape of outer and innerboxes with cuboidal cross-sections with various edge/corner profileslike rounded, bevelled etc. The boxes can be created entirely with orcombining different materials with suitable strength properties likepaperboard, plastics, metals etc.

The containers are formed from folded laminar blanks. The laminar blanksmay be made from any suitable sheet material, such as for examplecardboard, metal or plastic.

The internal container means is formed from a laminar blank as shown inFIGS. 1 & 2. Internal container means may contain elongated rod likeproducts like cigarettes, which are accessible from an opening (21)which spreads between the top and front panel of the internal container.

The carrier for internal container as shown in FIGS. 3 & 4 is formed bypasting panel 4 onto back of panel 6. While folded, panel 1 becomes theinner layer and panel 2 becomes the outer layer of folding doublelayered top closure. Panel 1 and Panel 2 can simultaneously hinge aroundcrease lines 10 and 24 respectively to create the folding lid. While thelid is in closed condition, the cuts (3) along the crease line 26 createprotrusions which interlocks with the slots (15) created on the outercontainer to achieve a secure closure. Panels 7 & 9 are glued to theside panels of the internal container so that the carrier and theinternal container can move together. Panel 5 is folded 180 degreebackwards along the crease line 11.

The outer container as shown in FIGS. 5 & 6 is formed by folding panel12 and 18 in right angles to panel 19, where panel 19 becomes the baseof the outer container. Panel 13 is glued back to back of front panel 12creating a ‘V’ notch (14) and slots (15) for lid locking. Panel 17 isfolded inwards along crease line 20. The side panels are overlapped andglued together to form the outer container.

FIG. 7 shows the pack in closed condition. Panel 2 creates the top ofthe closure lid. Protrusions (3) are locked within the slots (15)created on the internal surface of the outer carton. The lid top crease(25) is accessible through the ‘V’ notch (14). Consumers can flip thelid open holding the lid around the ‘V’ notch.

FIG. 8 shows the pack with unfolded lid. The top of internal containerwith cigarettes become visible at an inset as the lid is opened. Panel 1and Panel 2 lay parallel to each other and consumer can hold themtogether for pulling out the internal container for cigarettedispensing.

FIG. 9 shows the pack in fully opened condition. The reverse folded flap(5) of the internal container along crease (11) interlocks itself withinwardly folded flap (17) of the outer carton and restricts the extentof movement of the internal carton. To close the pack, the carrier alongwith the internal container can be pushed back within the externalcontainer and lid flipped closed.

Although the embodiments herein are described with various specificembodiments, it will be obvious for a person skilled in the art topractice the embodiments herein with modifications. However, all suchmodifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.

It is also to be understood that the description is intended to coverall of the generic and specific features of the embodiments describedherein and all the statements of the scope of the embodiments which as amatter of language might be said to fall there between.

1. A packet for holding substantially elongated articles such ascigarettes and the like, said packet comprising: an inner containermeans formed by folding a laminar sheet defining a box with its top sidehaving an opening spreading between the top and front panel of the innercontainer to provide access to said articles; a carrier means defining aplurality of panels whereby one of said panels folded to form a doublelayered closure means, said closure means hinged around a plurality ofcrease lines so as to form a folding lid means and said crease lineshaving a pair of cuts thereon so as to form a plurality of protrusions;an outer container means defining a plurality of panels, said outercontainer is a box with its top side open to provide access to saidinner container articulably secured therein and one of said panels gluedback to back thereby creating a substantially ‘V’ notch and providing aplurality of slots adapted to interlock said protrusions with said slotsthus facilitating lid locking; wherein said carrier means attached tosaid inner container and together articulable with respect to said outercontainer through a pre-defined distance keeping said carrier meansthere between; wherein said reverse folded flap of said carrier meansinterlocks itself with inwardly folded flap of the outer carton defininga stopper means thus restricting outward movement of the inner box tothe pre-defined distance.
 2. Packet for holding substantially elongatedarticles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner container means, saidcarrier means and said outer container means made from substantiallyfolded laminar blanks selected from metalized paper, foil, paperboard,plastics, metals and the like.
 3. Packet for holding substantiallyelongated articles as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer and innercontainer having substantially cuboidal cross-sections with theedge/corner profiles such as rounded, bevelled and the like.
 4. Packetfor holding substantially elongated articles as claimed in claim 1wherein said lid means accessible through the ‘V’ notch.
 5. Packet forholding substantially elongated articles as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid double layered folding lid integrated with the inner box andadapted to snugly fit in with a click within the top opening of theouter container.
 6. A packet for holding substantially elongatedarticles such as cigarettes and the like as herein described andillustrated with reference to accompanying drawings.